Fabrication of Ag/AgBr/Ga2O3 heterojunction composite with efficient photocatalytic activity

A novel Ag/AgBr/Ga 2 O 3 composite with heterojunction microstructure was synthesized by using chemical deposition followed by UV reduction method. High resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that Ga 2 O 3 microparticles were tightly attached with Ag/AgBr to form a heterojunction. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra revealed that light response capability of Ga 2 O 3 was enhanced significantly when combined with Ag/AgBr. The degradation efficiency of methyl orange within 30   min under UV light irradiation with Ag/AgBr/Ga 2 O 3 , Ag/AgBr and Ga 2 O 3 were 89%, 74% and 48%, respectively. Ag/AgBr/Ga 2 O 3 not only showed excellent photocatalytic activity under UV light, but also exhibited efficient photocatalysis capacity under visible light. Furthermore, the mechanism of charge separation in the heterojunction under UV light irradiation was proposed.